"Rick!"

I look up to the tower, calling his name.

"He won't come down."

Carl pushed past me and went to climb up the ladder.

"Why?"

"It's just where he goes to think. You want him, climb up." He replied grouchily.

I looked at the young boy as he disappeared up the top of the tower. He was always such a good kid, and he still was - he was just lost. Rick was trying harder to get through to him, especially since the survivors from Woodbury came to live with us. He hadn't agreed with it, and showed it in more way than body language. I wish he were able to be a kid again - and I think back to what he did the day his mother died, what he had to do to stop her from becoming a walker; my heart sinks. I sigh and begin to climb up.

"Rick?" I call out once I reach the top of the ladder, and although he doesn't have to, I suppose the southern gentleman comes out in him, as he helps me up.

He looks at me, waiting for me to speak.

"I'm here to relieve you of duty." I say, hand on my hip.

"Is anyone taking over for Carl?" He asks, glancing back at the boy.

"I don't need anyone to 'take over' for me." Carl growls.

Rick shoots him a look and the boy stomps over to the ladder and climbs down, pouting.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do with him." Rick says.

"He's getting into his teen years - remember what you were like?" I ask, genuinely curious.

He laughs, and rubs the back of his neck. "I try to forget."

I smile. "Well, like father like son."

He returns my smile, and in the blooming sunset, his eyes seem to pierce my heart.

It had been a while since Lori had passed, and Rick and I had grown closer in our friendship. What he still didn't know what even the simplest gesture of a smirk and nod would make my heart pound. I knew it was ridiculous, what would he ever see in me? There was the time, years ago when I thought maybe he saw something, but my hopes were diminshed when Lori came into the picture.

"So, you never answered my question." He says.

"Oh - watch duty - it's just me tonight."

"I'll get Daryl to come out."

"Daryl's got the other side of the prison, he's guarding there, remember?"

"Shit. Carol?"

"She's got kitchen duty."

"Glenn?"

"Maggie isn't feeling well, he's not leaving her. Beth has Judy, Karen is helping the elderly, and Hershel can't climb up here." I smirk.

He takes perch at one end, rifle hung over his shoulder, Python strapped to his hip, knife on his leg. He looks ready to take on anything. But he kept watch all day, and he must have been tired.

"Rick, I'll be fine. Go on down. Get some sleep."

"I'm not leaving you out here alone."

"Rick, really, it's alright. It's quiet out here."

"Just in case, I'm not leaving you alone." He stares at me, jaw locked, and I know he's serious. He's not going anywhere.

I sigh and take post next to him. "You're being as stubborn as Daryl." I scoff.

He laughs and shrugs, "I'd feel better if you weren't alone tonight."

I begin to pace around the tower, checking everything from every angle I can manage. I trip over the toe of my cowboy boots and stumble forward, catching myself on the railing of the tower. "Oof!"

"You alright?" He comes over, trying to conceal his smile. "Still tripping over yourself." He teases.

"I told you, Lori pushed me that night!" I laugh.

"Sure, sure." He chuckles. It feels so good to see him smile, hear him laugh again. It causes me to smile even wider.

"Oh shut up!" I laugh, playfully hitting him. I turn and once more trip again, this time over the hatch handle. "Shit!" He reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me up before I can hit the ground. He pulls a little too hard, and I end up against his chest.

I look up at him to see him staring down at me. I feel the corners of my mouth turning upward as I see a light smile play on his lips. Only when I feel his grip tighten on my hand, do I realize he's still holding it. His smile fades, but he continues to look at me, not pushing me away; holding my hand. His grip slowly loosens and he begins to walk away. He turns and looks back once at me. "You should be more careful."

I smirk.

What the hell just happened?

We sit in almost silence for the rest of the night.

BANG!

The bullet I fired pierces the ugly walker's head, causing it to double over.

BANG!

I take out another one, this one even uglier.

"It's all in the way you shoot and aim, Beth." I took on the job of teaching the young girl how to shoot. She was nervous, but she seemed to be eager to learn how to protect herself, and those surrounding her.

"Okay, well, here goes." She says nervously. She shoots, hitting one in the shoulder. We see the flesh explode off of it's bones. "Ugh!" She cries.

"Don't get discouraged! That was close! Remember deep breath, feet apart, don't lock your arms, aim and fire."

Beth does as I instruct and this time pegs one off, sending it sprawling. "I did it!" She squeals. "Thank you, Gwen!" She wraps her arms around me in a hug. I smile and give her a squeeze.

"See, you can do this honey! Try again!"

She continues along, hitting almost every target directly in the head. She's getting better, but she'll need more practice.

"You're doing great." We turn and find Rick and Daryl approaching us, Judith nestled in Rick's arms.

"Might hafta try this crossbow out next." Daryl smirks.

"I could?!" Beth asks surprised. Nobody touches the crossbow, but Daryl.

"Maybe." He smirks.

Rick smiles and laughs, causing the tiny baby to stir.

"The gunfire isn't too loud for her?" I ask, reaching out to put my hand over her tiny ears. I see she's wearing a little knit toque. "Where did she get this from?"

"Maybel," He says - one of the elders from Woodbury. "Helps to block out unwanted noise, and keeps her little head warm."

I look down at Judith, perfect picture of her mama. Bright brown eyes and hair to match, rosy cheeks and high cheekbones. She's a little Lori.

"You wanna take her?" He asks.

I nod. And extend my arms cradling the little girl's head. "Hey bebe" I coo. "Ain't you just a pretty girl." Judith smiles and it melts my heart.

Beth has stopped shooting altogether, and she and Daryl crowd in to marvel at the little baby.

"Well, I'll be damned - L'il Asskicker don' cracked a smile for ya." Daryl laughs. He brushes his fingers against her little cheek and begins to speak 'baby talk' to her. It's funny hearing such a tough guy 'goo' and 'gaa' at such a tiny baby.

Rick smiles, and asks if he could speak to me aside. I hand off Judy to Daryl and leave him and Beth alone. Rick and I walk through the prison yard, meeting up with Maggie.

"Hey, Mags" I call. "How are you feeling today?"

"Better, but ..." She hesitates biting her lip. She looks back to Glenn, and I see him smiling. "I may or may not have some news."

Rick stands with his hand locked on his belt, squinting in the sunlight. I can't help but notice how blue his eyes look today, or how close he seems to be standing next to me. I look down at my scuffed, dirty cowboy boots. Get a grip - what is with you lately, Gwendolyn?

"Well?" I ask Maggie, before I can get to swept up in my thoughts.

"I think I might be pregnant.." She pauses, and smiles wide - unable to hide her happiness.

Rick and I wrap her in a hug, and I feel Glenn join in, all of us laughing.

Rick looks at me and smiles. "Looks like we're going on a run for a pregnancy test."

"Glenn and I can go with you." Maggie says.

"We won't take 'no' for an answer, Rick, Gwen." Glenn smiles. He's practically beaming.

"Alright. We'll round up some stuff and the four of us can take off!" I say, turning and walking away. I shoot a glance behind, in Rick's direction. If I wasn't mistaken, I heard him say 'Isn't it my job to say that?'